slownrusty Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Some of you guys may remember that I bought this car in April this year, it is a true one owner car with only 3200 original miles and original paint that had been sitting for 7 years without moving. I have been working on it a fair bit through the course of the summer and spent considerable time and money on the car, and replaced the following items: 1) Replaced the rear brake shoes 2) Replaced every single rubber brake hose 3) Replaced the front brake pads and rebuilt the unique brake calipers 4) Replaced the radiator hoses 5) Replaced all the rubber gas and coolant hoses 6) Replaced the air filter, oil filter and very neat fuel filter 7) Converted the car over to electronic ignition and removed the points and condensor 8) Changed the 23year old oil and flushed the cooling system 9) Changed the thermostat (which was a very sobering experience) 10) Changed the valve cover gasket and checked the valve clearances 11) Replaced the leaking clutch and brake master cylinders 12) Replaced the clutch slave cylinder 13) The transmission and diff oil had NEVER been replaced, so I drained them and installed Amsoil 80W90 synthetic Parts are much more that I thought..wow! From the years of neglect, the paint had started to turn “ashy” so I water sanded the car one night at 1am, when I could not sleep in my pajamas no less!! I started with 1500grit and then worked my way to 2000grit. As the car’s paint is original I wanted to see if I could revive it. I also did an extensive compound and several stages of buffing and polishing including using a clay bar. All the elbow grease has greatly improved the aesthetics of the paint but I do feel there is some more potential in the paint, I am waiting for another sleepless night! With all the attention I gave the car, it was transformed. The more I drove the car, the more it improved. The flat spots in the carburetor were all gone, the engine was responsive and very linear and converting the car to Electronic Ignition improved drivability, smoothness and overall performance. The transmission shifted very smoothly as well with the new Amsoil. The car did come with a few containers of lead additive which were in the trunk and I make sure and add it, when I fill it. I have removed the original steel 14in wheels (the full size spare even had a very neat cover on it - which is deteriorating) with their bias ply tires and replaced them with a more modern 4 spoke alloy wheel from Revolution Wheels (14in x 6in) from England. The new wheels definitely compliments the car, and at the same time saves 7.5lbs per corner and I have fitted modern and slightly wider radial BFGoodrich tires (185/60). The new tires have definitely made a huge difference in overall drivability. I have some suspension work to do next on the list as I address worn bushings and very weak shock absorbers. Part and parcel of ownership, and no complaints from my camp. The car drives really great and enjoying the magical summer evenings in this car, reinforces that the Datsun was worth the price and all the effort and improvements along the way. I have never owned a Convertible before and I have discovered a new view and respect of motoring with the top down. My girlfriend also loves the car and also gets equal bliss from driving it. Well enough blabbing...here is the fun stuff...pictures! When I first bought it early Spring: After all the work and photos taken this morning: Best Regards - Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondabait Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I know its not ole skool but when are you gonna slap an sr20 and six speed in her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Lookin very nice. Wow did I read that right, 3200 miles? WOW! Is your garage 4 car? 2 Deep? I thought my 3 car was big or is it a mirror? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 What a score Yasin!! Your a lucky Man.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt_furious Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Wow, that is NICE. Love the Rev wheels, good choice. Great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Those wheels look great and that car is mint! Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWRex Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 That thing just oozes cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruez Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Nice work, my brother has a '70 model that I would like to have....but alas I have too much going on as it is.. 3200 miles is just crazy... Did a little old lady have it ? I rode in his 1600 one day, it was like riding in a go kart I agree about the wheels, they look very good on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Yasin, is that 3,200 orig. miles, or 32,000 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I love that car. I bet that is so fun to drive on the twisty roads up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackhammer Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Great job...and great find. 3200 miles that is almost unheard of. So what are the plans from this point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Super nice. Here is a JIC parts lot, or you could mod the junk out of this motor and drop it in and store the matching parts stuff. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-1967-DATSUN-U20-ROADSTER-OR-FAIRLADY-ENGINE-PARTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46098QQihZ010QQitemZ200157448687QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 I know its not ole skool but when are you gonna slap an sr20 and six speed in her? My good friend Mike Spreadbury at SprisoMotorsports has done several SR20 6 speed conversions and they are beautiful. But this car is staying all original and untouched. The mileage is way too low and the car is just too clean to cut it up for a conversion. It would be cool to find a rough Roadster that would make a fun SR20DET candidate Lookin very nice. Wow did I read that right, 3200 miles? WOW!Yes 3200miles! Correct. The car was owned by a friend's mother-in-law who drove it only twice per year to get the oil changed at JC Penny and have the tires rotated. After she passed away, she left the car in her will to her daughter and I purchased the car from them. I have been trying to buy this car for 6+ years! I believe its the lowest mileage Roadster in the U.S, from the Roadster Registery. Is your garage 4 car? 2 Deep? I thought my 3 car was big or is it a mirror? 5 car...wink! two wide in front....three wide out back. What a score Yasin!! Your a lucky Man.... Thanks J! Wow, that is NICE. Love the Rev wheels, good choice. Great work! The Rev. wheels really bring out the lines and compliment the car, they were a pain to custom order from England, but worth the wait. Initially they sent me a set of 13s accidently. I have loved these wheels when I first saw them on a World Rally RWD Ford Escort in England back in 1978!! Those wheels look great and that car is mint!Mario Thanks Mario! That thing just oozes cool. Many thanks! Nice work, my brother has a '70 model that I would like to have....but alas I have too much going on as it is.. 3200 miles is just crazy... Did a little old lady have it ? I rode in his 1600 one day, it was like riding in a go kart I agree about the wheels, they look very good on there. Many thanks for the kudos! Please see my reply above for the previous owner details. Yasin, is that 3,200 orig. miles, or 32,000 ? J - Yes 3,200 Original miles! I love that car. I bet that is so fun to drive on the twisty roads up there. Cody - It will be a total blast once I re-new the front suspension which is tired and deteriorated, I have the complete rear done and that made a big difference, so when the front is done, the car should be like a roller skate. Great job...and great find. 3200 miles that is almost unheard of. So what are the plans from this point? My plans - Jump in, enjoy and drive! And fix whatever decides to break...! Many thanks to all the great replies and compliments. Best Regards - Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFancypants Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Always loved the old Datsun Roadsters, before I even fell in love with Z cars. This one is beautiful and immaculate. The only thing that would make it better would be if it was a 67.5 2000, but then you'd have paid a fortune for it Im sure Any chance you'll divulge what you paid? - Greg - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Taylor Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Very Nice! I hate you. j/k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 awesome! at 3200 miles, i would drive around in reverse or tow her lol jp, datsuns were meant to DRIVE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob_racing Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Stunning. I'm happy that an enthusiast got ahold of the car and not somebody who'd spend less time and energy being the caretaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 The wheels were worth the trouble and make the car look even better than it actually is (stock anyway). My brother owned several roadsters and they were heaps of fun and extremely reliable despite their age and originality. Quite tough actually. The only thing that seems to destroy them is rust, but other than that, they are solid. Great find and nice "polish job" Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostiswhatsfordinner Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Nice Roadster the Revs look amazing. How can I order some? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigenOut-S30 Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Wow Yasin, amazing man! looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.